Taking a Step Back

ne$_pimpne$_pimp
in Collector's Corner
Has anyone here ever taken a step back from collecting to enjoy what they already have? Even toning down their buying habits.



With the recent epidemic of folks posting about how upset they are with collecting and game prices, it got me wondering how much folks appreciate what they have with out wanting more. And how much more folks want? Perhaps it's worth it to look at what you have before complaining. 
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Comments

  • mattbepmattbep
    I stopped licensed collecting a while back. Moved onto homebrews, buying all kinds of stuff. Got what I wanted, and stopped buying things that really didn't appeal to me that I was buying just to support people. Gotta look out for myself. My spending has gone down severely.



    Now just enjoying what I have, yes.
  • VGS_foochie776VGS_foochie776
    Past couple months I've toned back spending but I'm gaming more which is nice. I'm still absolutely working towards my goals of what I want but enjoying what I have as I go is definitely helpful!
  • Bort License PlateBort License Plate
    I unfortunately don't have much time to actually play stuff, though I do when I get the chance. But often I'll spend a minute or two, pull a box off the shelf and just look at it. Doesn't matter if it's rare or cheap or mint or whatever, just look and appreciate it. Never thought I'd be buying CIBs when I first started, and even though it is a modest collection, I still think it's really damn cool, how this piece of cardboard lasted 20-30 years, when it was made to be thrown out, and the work that went into the art and all that.
  • theirontoupeetheirontoupee
    I've taken a step back from collecting aggressively and have been playing stuff more than collecting, but of course still make exceptions for things I passionately collect.
  • RockyRocky
    Let's just say I went from checking Ebay 7 times a day and going for a full N64 set to checking Ebay once a month and enjoying what I have.
  • mydogsrulemydogsrule
    I enjoy collecting niche items that have true rarity and the price of some of that stuff is insane. Some I want but know I won't ever own and that's ok because I enjoy what I do have. All of us run into things that we want but it's out of our range. Complaining doesn't do anything but make the hobby un enjoyable.
  • xMaGuSxxMaGuSx
    Just look at my SIG dude. I have noticed the same and felt the same over the last year. It just seems so many people get caught up in addiction of buying up everything.



    Nothing wrong with that, it is super fun hobby.



    But it seems a lot of people get burnt out or start getting so serious that it becomes almost unhealthy.



    It's been like 3 months since i bought anything. I just needed a break for a while. I have a few hundred games waiting to be played and having extra money doesn't hurt either
  • SilverspoonSilverspoon
    I took a huge step back almost 3 yrs ago when my daughter was born, and Im still trying to get all the way back in. I was having some medical problems shortly after, and was more interested in doing my car stuff so I replaced it with two big things (daughter and cars.) GVN coming out and being so useful has taken a lil off the load of being a hardcore collector so its making the trip back easier.
  • NESfiendNESfiend
    It may not be what this thread is aimed at, but I tend to flip every 3-4 months from collecting mode to playing mode. Sometimes it has to do with bringing in more or less money, but usually it doesnt. Its just kind of the natural rythym of my habits. I play everyday, but when im in the mood to buy, I spend half that time on ebay and gvn. Its not an intended result, but definitely good on the wallet that half the year I dont really shop much at all.
  • Archon 1981Archon 1981
    Goes in waves for me. I have periods of time when I'm "ON THE HUNT!" and I'm trolling for items all day every day. Then I take a break for a while and don't even look at NA or ebay etc for weeks.
  • Andy_BogomilAndy_Bogomil
    This has been me for the last number of years. Really slowed down my collecting (almost to a complete halt). I've easily played over 90%of the games I own including my complete Wii u set and shovel ware I've picked up along the way, and not just to test them. I've always been gaming though, even in my heaviest collecting days. Now I love my collection and basically having a video rental store in my living room. I appreciate both aspects.
  • empireempire
    Whoever gets stressed out from video game collecting must have one hell of a cushy life. This is the last thing i'd get stressed about.
  • Baddieboy HoldenBaddieboy Holden
    There are times I do. Probably now more than ever, since I'm trying to make an actual obligation to play all games start to finish for the systems I'm going for curated sets for.

    I.e. with original Gameboy, I bought Centipede + Millipede about a month ago. I wanted to get the most out of it that I possibly could before my next purchase, then play that game to completion, and so on and so forth.

    This is really the only system I do this for, but it makes it a really fun way to collect for it.
  • Archon 1981Archon 1981
    Originally posted by: empire



    Whoever gets stressed out from video game collecting must have one hell of a cushy life. This is the last thing i'd get stressed about.





    It isn't the games they get stressed about, its the money behind those games.
  • TheFinderTheFinder
    Recently got engaged, which has put some things in perspective. Had been on a furious collecting streak, and realized I wasn't appreciating everything I had. Got some really cool and rare stuff too. Now I'm going through and carefully considering what I want to keep/play, and what I enjoy having but might neglect. I don't want to be holding onto these things if I have limited time and won't give them the time/enjoyment they should get. Still have some things I'm actively looking for. I'm just working on focusing better.
  • zeppelin03zeppelin03
    Once I started cataloging my collection I realized how little of it I played. Collecting got to be a but much, with packages at the door every other day, and paychecks going a little too quickly.



    I have since started looking at what I truly want to keep and play, and have traded off about 10% of my games so far. More will likely follow. My money is going towards CIB games from my childhood and upgrading my gaming setup itself.



    Slowing down on the hobby has been great so far. Less stress, more space at home, and I am actually taking a look and what I own vs worrying about what I do not have. At this point I want to maintain the number of titles I have but treat it like a revolving door. Something leaves as another game comes in.
  • jonebonejonebone
    Everything comes in waves for most of us, especially this time of year as it is vacation season. Nothing wrong with unplugging for a bit as the games and hobby will always be there when you come back.
  • Mr. CIBMr. CIB
    I have not taken a step back yet but retirement is in my future the year. At that point I want to "kick back and smell the roses" and finally take time to play what I purchased, organize them, clean them and other task which doesn't require hunting on eBay or posting a WTB. I figure in retirement I will still collect say for the Nintendo Switch or maybe Limited Run Games which has a set release schedule. Either way collecting has been a great experience and never stressful to me....: I just need to get the controller in my hands instead of my fingers on a keyboard
  • AC SkywalkerAC Skywalker
    I more than ever will buy a bunch of games and then play them through before I buy more. It keeps the flow smooth and enjoyable. It makes it feel more so that I am not just buying to buy, but buying literally for new games to play.
  • DarkToneDarkTone
    I've slowed down. A lot.
  • Loxx O)))Loxx O)))
    Last NES game I bought was Metroid: Rogue Dawn. Before that... can't even remember the last one I got and that was the main system I bought for. On that front, I have. I've been buying and trading lots of Atari but I'm trying to slow myself down and not just burn through it all. With that collection I have been sitting down and enjoying the games as I'm testing them. I'll pick a pile of games I really enjoyed from each lot I get and add those a new pile of my now playing games... and then I just played each of those until I get sick of one and swap it out for another.



    So yeah... I'm mainly just been trying to enjoy the games I have right now without worrying to much about acquiring more (aside from Atari which I'm trying to hold back on).
  • MrWunderfulMrWunderful
    Been playing my MVS a ton lately, really renewed my love for gaming, also made me slow down on collecting a bit.



    Playing neo geo games via PVM on a CMVS with a set of quality speakers is an experience unlike any other when it comes to retro gaming.
  • AstralSoul13AstralSoul13
    Yes I've stopped buying a lot, mostly play now. I mostly buy new stuff now.
  • DeuceGamerDeuceGamer
    I collect both modern and retro games and play both modern and retro games. Sometimes, I play more than collect while other times I spend more time collecting. No matter what though I definitely spend varying amounts of time doing both, depending a variety of tings.
  • skinnygrinnyskinnygrinny
    i play a nes game every week  



    i dont like to spend alot of $ on games.



    i do love to yard sale. flea market if no yard sales  
  • ZBomberZBomber
    I've limited most of my spending this year to current gen games that I want to play. I've purchased a few Wii U games to round out my collection since they are relatively cheap atm, but in general I haven't been adding too many non-current generation games to my collection.



    Playing the games has always been the biggest part of collecting for me. The problem is I have so many games in my backlog and just not a ton of time to devote to them, especially being so invested in Breath of the Wild.
  • Brock LandersBrock Landers
    Playing games is for suckers



    But I do have a "sitting chair" setup in my collection room so that I can bask in the rejuvanating powers of its majesty



    (not really)
  • Uncle MeatUncle Meat
    Just get Diablo 2, it will stop you from playing anything or buying anything.



    The ultimate distraction.



    Want to save money? Diablo 2.



    Want to succeed in life? Diablo 2.



    Want to do blow off hookers? Diablo 2.
  • NesmasterNesmaster
    I'm always between collecting and playing. I'm collecting right now but soon I can feel a shift where I'll just want to modern game for a bit.
  • Silent HillSilent Hill
    Baby is coming in a few months. Might be the final nail in the coffin.



    I've got too much shit anyways. How could I ever play over 3k games? I can't. Ideally I'd like to downsize to each console with maybe 10 or so games for each. I'd probably sell my collection in bulk to a local store owner.
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